Meet Ariel White | Visual Artist & Stay at Home Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariel White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariel, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about this quote from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland:

(Alice) “‘Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?’

(The Cat) ‘That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,’ said The Cat.”

In other words, how can we get where we’d like to go if we don’t know where that is? It’s good advice for all sorts of scenarios, but I’ve been considering it a lot in reference to my art, and especially art as a business. Do I want to be like Alice and just end up somewhere, or do I have specific goals in mind? Where do I want to take my work? What do I want to do with my art practice? Do I want to keep it on a more hobby level, or dive headfirst and full-time into art as a business?

The answers to these questions will be so different from person to person and practice to practice. I don’t have clear answers to these questions yet, but it is a goal of mine this year to better figure that out. I can choose the best path for where I want to end up, once I know where I’d like to end up. That isn’t to say I can’t enjoy the path along the way! I continue to enjoy my meander through Wonderland as I contemplate where I’d like to get to.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create playful, cartoony art that celebrates animals with big personalities. My work is all about joy, humor, and a little bit of mischief. I love taking something familiar and adding an unexpected twist—turning everyday creatures into expressive characters full of charm. I use bright colors, clean shapes, and bold linework to bring these ideas to life, usually with acrylics, paint pens, and a whole lot of fun.

I only started painting a couple of years ago, and I’m proud of how much I’ve grown in that time. It hasn’t always been easy—I still go through stretches where I feel creatively stuck or question whether my work has value. But I keep showing up, experimenting, and sharing what I make. Being part of a shared studio that’s open to the public has made a huge difference. It pushes me to keep creating and helps me connect with people who enjoy my art. I also feel incredibly lucky to be part of the Dayton area’s art scene—it’s a vibrant, supportive community with a lot of great resources.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to wait until you feel “ready.” Start with what you have, where you are, and trust that your voice and style will grow with you. I’ve also learned how powerful it is to lean into what makes your work uniquely yours.

I hope my work sparks imagination, brings a smile, and maybe even encourages someone to create something of their own. I also try to price my art in a way that keeps it accessible—because I believe everyone should have the chance to bring original, heartfelt art into their home.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Outdoors:
You’d be surprised at how great the trails and parks in the area are! Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark is beautiful and a must-see. Cox Arboretum has a variety of paved and unpaved trails, ponds, and a cool tower to get a good view from. Or visit the Witch Tower at Hills and Dales Metropark.

Food:
Breakfast – Blueberry Cafe
Lunch – Flavors Eatery
Dinner – Salar
Drinks – Tender Mercy

Art:
Front Street
The Contemporary
Dayton Art Institute
Dayton Society of Artists
Edward A Dixon Gallery
Black Palette Art Gallery

Other fun things:
Second Street Market

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my parents, who first saw that I liked to be creative. My dad has always inspired me to be curious and notice things, and first introduced me to painting. I’m grateful for the encouragement and support that I received and continue to receive from them.

To my husband, and my daughter, who are my biggest cheerleaders in this. They have been so supportive as I decided to try painting, get a studio space, and try to start up a small business. It takes my time and energy away from them sometimes, and I’m so glad I have their support in it. My daughter loves to help out at the studio on art hop days, and I love having her help. I couldn’t have painted my tall studio wall without my tall husband’s help. They’ve put almost as much work into this as I have!

Finally, to my studio mates and the local art community, for being so helpful and sharing so many resources. I have received so many kind words, so much helpful advice, awesome opportunities, and lots of encouragement from fellow artists in the area. I really am so grateful and so lucky to be living in the Dayton area while I get my art business started.

Instagram: @nix.the.fish